New Video Shows ISIS Training Children To Be Executioners

A new ISIS propaganda video has been released showing children being trained to execute prisoners of war. Terrormonitor.org, a website dedicated to tracking the propaganda websites and social media of known terrorists and associates, released a series of stills from the new video, which shows children who appear to be as young as 3 years old, holding pistols to the heads of captured prisoners and preparing them for execution. The video goes as far as to even show the young children killing captured Kurdish prisoners.

One of the most disturbing images shows a young child, aged 3 or 4, aiming a small handgun at a Kurdish man tied to a chainlink fence, in what appears to be a toy ball pit. The video pans around while the older ISIS member urges the child to shoot, which he does.

The children, referred to as “Cubs of the Caliphate,” are often inducted in special camps where they are force-fed ideological training by older Islamic State members, known as “Lions.” These children are not only used as propaganda pieces for the videos, however. They are also being used to man security posts, work alongside ISIS police officers, and in some cases, even fight for the caliphate.

ARA News reported that the Islamic State had increased its intake of child soldiers after reportedly losing huge numbers of militants to desertion.

The Islamic State has used social media more efficiently than any other terrorist organization, including the Taliban and Al Qaeda. Michael Steinbach, who serves as Executive Assistant Director for FBI’s National Security Branch, told Congress in July of 2016 that “no group has been as successful at drawing people into its message as ISIL,” referring to ISIS as ISIL which incorporates the region of the levant.

“ISIL’s extensive reach through the internet and social media is most concerning as the group continues to aggressively employ the latest technology as part of its nefarious strategy,” he continued.

Joshua Raymond-Castro is a U.S. Marine Veteran and Journalist. He studies Journalism and Mass Communications at Ashford University and resides with his wife and son in the Washington D.C. area. You can follow his articles on www.joshcastrowriter.com.